Prostate Cancer
Age Guidelines
Beginning at age 40, or possibly earlier,
if you have a family history of prostate cancer or are black, you need to talk to your health professional about getting a yearly Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).
Beginning at age 50,
if you have no family history and are not black ask your health professional for information about the PSA and DRE tests and when you need to have them.
Here’s What Makes It So Confusing
Some health professionals think that men younger than 75 should have yearly PSA tests; others do not.
Not all prostate cancers are life-threatening, and treatments can cause side effects.* Sometimes high PSA levels can be caused by infections, BPH, or small cancers that may not grow or spread. Your doctor may prefer “watchful waiting” until there are signs that treatment is needed.
*Researchers are studying ways to improve the PSA test so that it detects only cancers that need treatment.
Learn More About The Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
